2nd Dan for Rachael

After two years of preparation Local black belt Rachael Smith has recently passed her 2nd Dan Black Belt grading. Rachael aged fourteen and a half travelled to Leicester to demonstrate her martial arts skills in front of a grading panel that consisted of 9th Dan Korean Grandmaster Rhee Ki Ha and six 7th and 8th Dan Masters.

Rachael commenced her grading by performing three black belt patterns, where she demonstrated the 119 self-defence movements with power, accuracy, rhythm and balance. Once the patterns were finished she then went on to show her self-defence abilities in a more realistic situation by sparring against a number of the other students.

Then came the breaking! Totally focussed she smashed through the wooden boards using her hands and feet to demonstrate the power in her technique. Each board broke on the first attempt including the difficult jumping turning kicks.

At the end of the grading Grandmaster Rhee Ki Ha congratulated Rachael presenting her with her certificate and a new embroidered black belt.

Rachael’s proud instructor, Steve Millis said “ The promotion from 1st Dan to 2nd Dan is very physically and mentally demanding. Rachael rose to this challenge and confidently showed that she deserved to pass. Rachael’s performance was exceptional and so was the support from her Parents. Well done to them all. ”